Chapter Three:
Long Live Emperor Darth Vader
The shuttle dropped out of hyperspace, gliding towards the large metal orb that was the city planet Coruscant. Vader stood near the pilots, staring out the window at the fleet of ships surrounding the Imperial capital world, all ready to defend it at a second's notice as they circled the metal globe like a defensive juggernaut .
Vader stared at the planet silently, recalling the times he'd returned here after every mission, all on behalf of his master. Now, with Palpatine gone, Darth Vader had returned, not to answer to a master, but to take his place as the leader of the Galactic Empire.
By this point, there was no doubt that the propaganda machine had begun spinning a story that the Emperor had perished aboard the Second Death Star, slain by the Rebels.
And nobody suspected that the new face of the Empire would be someone more machine than man, bearing a helmet that hid a scarred face, the face of the man once known as Anakin Skywalker.
To the Galaxy, Anakin was long gone like the rest of the Jedi, it had been reported that Anakin Skywalker had fallen in battle during the attack on the Jedi Temple, defending it to the end. And yet, no one knew the truth of who'd led the 501st Legion's attack on the temple that night during Order 66.
And neither did anyone know that the pilot named Luke Skywalker was the son of Vader, no, the son of Anakin Skywalker.
Slowly and steadily, the shuttle flew through the clouds, flying over the majestic city and passing through the traffic lanes. A few hover-pods and speeders floated by, transporting its riders to various locations on the city planet.
The sun was setting and the first stars were slowly appearing in the dusk-filled sky, the many lights of Coruscant's skyline were now gleaming brightly.
"Imperial Palace is in sight, my Lord." The pilot said.
"Has the Grand Vizier been informed of the events at Endor?" Vader asked.
"No word, Lord Vader." The co-pilot said, "Not yet as far as we know."
"We shall see when we land."
The landing platform came into view and the pilots raised the shuttle's wings, slowly bringing the ship in as the landing gears lowered gently. The shuttle came to a stop and the engines winded down, the ramp opened and steam blew as Vader exited the ship, setting foot on the platform as Imperials stood at attention.
Royal guards, Stormtroopers, officers. Everyone had received word of the arriving shuttle and no one said a thing as Vader made his arrival, not a word, standing at attention as their new leader appeared.
No one made eye contact, every Imperial was still as a statue, save for the slight rise and fall of a torso as breath left many of the Imperial officers' lungs. Vader strolled towards the structure that was the Imperial Palace, his cape flowing in the evening breeze.
Stormtroopers clicked to attention as he passed them by, making way for him to enter the Palace. Palpatine's longtime advisor and Grand Vizier Mas Amedda stood waiting for Vader in the palace's halls, gulping nervously and clutching his staff as he faced the armored breathing Sith Lord approaching him.
He'd been told the Emperor's shuttle had been coming in, he didn't even expect the sight of Palpatine's apprentice in the slightest.
"Lord Vader..." Amedda bowed.
"Grand Vizier Amedda..." Vader spoke, his voice resonating ominously.
"It's true, isn't it?" Amedda said, "The Emperor was killed by Rebels aboard the station..."
"That is what the Holo-Net reports and we shall keep it that way, keep it spreading, that Emperor Palpatine perished when Rebel agents raided the Death Star in collaboration with traitors in our ranks. Let the public believe the story, but allow Command to know a different story, that the Emperor was killed by his own guards."
"Two lies." Amedda remarked as he and Vader walked through the halls into the elevator, "What is the truth?"
The elevator closed and Vader looked Amedda in the eye.
"I killed him, Grand Vizier."
Amedda gulped in shock.
"It is the way of the Sith, Grand Vizier. The apprentice learns all they know and then they slay the master. Sidious ruled for long enough, now I am the master. You served the Emperor faithfully for years, now you will answer to me. As for who will be the head of state, that falls to you..."
The Vizier was frightened by this. "Lord Vader, you're mad!" He cried, "The loss of Palpatine is already enough, you killed him, but now you want me, the Emperor's longtime advisor, to act as the Empire's de-facto leader and figure head while you rule from the shadows? How will our Empire survive like this?"
"You will manage..." Vader growled.
"People are already revolting!" Amedda held up the holo-pad he was carrying, "I-I just received word that there is a riot in Monument Plaza, a statue of our beloved Emperor was just torn down and our forces can't hold back the rioters. What you've suggested is dangerous with a high chance of complicating matters even mo..."
He stopped talking as Vader lifted an arm, Amedda was lifted off the ground, clutching his windpipe as he gasped. The Sith Lord was choking him, already annoyed with Amedda's groveling. He had use for him, but he needed Amedda's cooperation.
"You're losing air, Grand Vizier Amedda." Vader said, "It would be wise to do as you are ordered, the Emperor would be displeased with you. You can be useful, it would be a shame if the late Emperor Palpatine's advisor then had to be killed by a hidden rogue Jedi among our ranks if they see you were Force-choked."
Amedda whimpered. "Y-Yes... M-My... Lord..." He gasped.
Vader released his hold on Amedda just as the elevator opened, paving the way into Palpatine's throne room where a pair of Royal Guards and Stormtroopers were waiting.
Vader walked out of the elevator and strolled towards the throne with Grand Vizier Amedda following, holding his staff tightly, as the Dark Lord sat down upon the seat of power and surveyed everyone in the room.
"The Emperor is dead." Amedda said, "Long live the Emperor. You will now answer to Lord Vader, who knew Palpatine for all these years, and you know the consequences for insolence."
Every Stormtrooper and Royal Guard bowed, showing their respect to their new leader. And beneath the iron mask, a cold smile took shape upon Vader's scarred face. No one would see it coming, not even the Rebels or his own son.
Long live Darth Vader, the new Emperor, Emperor of a crumbling Galactic Empire...
